The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-04-14
The Pension List IL Not Too Large.
RnSin,a lrInhr

Boston Globe
1.-THE pension list is already too large" says
an editor, writing with more zeal than knOwl-
edge, and something should be done TO check
it,"
These words look harmless, but they cut like
a keen-edged sword into the hearts of men and
women who know how many are suffering for
help, how many claims are still unrecognized,
and how many homes are still darkened by the
clouds of the war that has been. In the sad
minority, without political representation,
saddened beyond expression by past memories,
and burdened by present needs, the survivors Of
the warand their families present picture more
pathetic than anything yet put upon canvas
or described by the historian. Ii is our National
dishonOr while one widow or child of dead
soldier, or a single wounded patriot, is I'M
protected or unproyided for. Every man of
intelligence knows that the slightest error in
Monumental evidence the death of all who
might witness for an applicant, or the loss of
papers, throws out hundreds Of cases where the
standing Of the soldier was of the best, where
he gave himself and sacrificed his family for
his country. A country saved by such sacri-
fees should honor its heroes in life or death.
The brave women now engaged in working
for the soldiers find themselves .thwarted in
many ways, and in unexpected places; and
were il not for their efforts aud the work of
the Grand Army, the dark shadow Of the war
would still fall heavily upon hundreds of lives
All honor 10 them for their noble work, and all
shame 10 those whose rulings compel brave men
aud worthy women, who should be honored
pensioners, 10 become virtually objects of pri-
waite charity. The facts now on record, aud
many cases are not recorded at all, would
astonish the ease-lOying people who say the
war is over and let Us hear no more about IT,"
The war is not over. Boys who went into il
with hearts and nerves Of men are now in their
prime women who were then fresh from school,
or even in the school-ro left their books 10
nurse the soldier or scrape lint; children who
were then living in luxury are now paupers
fathers who loved the home nest have never
known home since; mothers who worked and
waited, wept and prayed, weep now in silence
and poverty. They have not the hard facts,
the Gradgrind documents, TO establish their
claims, just as they are in the sight of God and
man, and their only resource is submission.
AS lover Of justice for all, the Globe once
more entreats the people 10 consider these
things. This bill or that measure may not
meet your individual views but the sad fact
remains that the families of brave men are still
neglected, and while we talk of the French
spoliation claims aud things equally remote,
the sons and daughters Of the gallant men who
saved the Union are denied advantages and
opportunities VIII ich they should be enjoying,
and there is no redress until some general
measure, some large, inclusive bill, is brought
before Congress and passed, whereby all who
served their country shall be recognized, with
out petty distinctions or pettilogging qualifca-
tons.
We might relate many cases well known TO
US where pensions have been applied for, and
the applicants have failed 30 secure the slight
! est recognition by reason Of some missing link
some trifing flaw in the overwhelming evil
dence furnished. In some instances the prom
/ inent position Of the officer or soldier and his
valuable services have been at once confirmed
! by the War Department and yet the inability
\ 10 secure one item in the long train of proofs
difficult al best aftesa lapse Of years. has thrown
! out the case and the innocent war victims re-
main victims still.
With these facts In mind, with the brave,
/ patient toilers in our midst; with children
! longing for an education now impossible be-
cause the war made them fatherless and poor /;
with men in middle life now walking our
streets with difficulty by reason of wounds re-
eeived in the service; with women seeking for
work because all was lost during the war, how
can any man say that the pension list is too
Target" How does he know If the Govern.
ment provided for its defenders would the men
Of the Grand Army and the Loyal Leagne find
| IL necessary 10 care for their brothers of the
battlefield, or the women Of the Relief Corps
labor increasingly 10 right this great wrong
God sifted this Nation through terrible civil
war, and its heroes, like choice grain, are al
ready lost sight Of in the chat Of prosperity
and political ambition.
Prune the pension list Of all unworthy names
but spare and protect the heroes and their chill
dren. This should be our proud national duty
Comrade John c. Taylor, No. II Allen Place
Hartford, Conn. will employ a few comrades 3,
/ exhibit his real mar fieiBS acfual nbotograDh